“FAF is a respected voice that reaches across both sides of the aisle to work with the legislature to preserve our Florida constitutional right of access to government. It’s one of the few organizations that looks out for you and forces all three branches of government to walk the transparency walk – not just pay lip service to transparency. After all, this country is rooted in a government of the people, by the people and for the people, so it should be open.” -Carol LoCicero, FAF Board Chair

The First Amendment Foundation is a highly visible and accessible source of authoritative information, expertise and assistance to the public and news media. Founded as a non-profit organization in 1984 by The Florida Press Association, the Florida Society of Newspapers Editors and the Florida Association of Broadcasters to ensure that public commitment and progress in the areas of free speech, free press, and open government do not become checked and diluted during Florida’s changing times.

Its purpose is to protect and advance the public’s constitutional right to open government by providing education and training, legal aid and information services. Funding is based on voluntary contributions from various organizations and concerned individuals.

With the support of members and donors like you, the First Amendment Foundation is able to:

Operate a toll-free hotline available to anyone with a question about Florida’s open government laws. Give us a call: (800) 337-3518.

Track legislation in Tallahassee and fight efforts to make government less transparent.

Enlist a team of attorneys offering largely pro bono services to aggressively go after government agencies that block or stall legitimate access to information.

Conduct Sunshine Seminars across the state, training hundreds of public officials, journalists, attorneys, and concerned citizens each year on Florida’s public records and open meetings laws.

And just this year we launched an online training program, the Sunshine Certificate Training Program, in partnership with the Poynter Institute – now open government is everyone’s business.

Our actions get results. In the past year, we led a broad coalition of open government advocates and defeated a bill that would have made it harder to hold agencies accountable for public records violations. In dozens of courthouses and government offices around the country, citizens – with FAF’s help – won access to the records and meetings.

Still, our job has never been more challenging and, with your help, we will continue to fight efforts to erode Florida’s long-standing tradition of open government.

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FOI Hotline

The toll-free hotline at (800) 337-3518 or (850) 222-3518 is your resource for answers and assistance regarding the current application of public records and sunshine laws. Call to receive timely, authoritative information and advice on Florida’s open government laws and issues. Members receive expedited responses.

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Although the First Amendment Foundation (FAF) Web site may include stories or links from other Internet resources, FAF is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these stories or sites.